k achouka was filled in for married firefighters. mike ciporini was named firefighter of the year two weeks ago. >> so it's very -- it's a very difficult situation. >> reporter: condolences have been pouring into this fire station from around the world. and now two families are spending their christmas making funeral arrangements. >> right now we're organizing what we need to do to bury two of our members. >> reporter: and the death toll could grow higher. spangler's sister is unaccounted for. police believe she and others might have been trapped in the fire that consumed seven houses. >> so we can get into those homes and see you know, god i'm hoping that everyone was able to escape from the inferno. >> reporter: police hope the rubble has cooled down enough to allow them to begin investigating today. for cbs news, webster, new york. >>> back in 1980 spangler was convicted of killing his 92- year-old grandmother with a hammer and he reached plea deal and served just 18 years in jail before he was released in 1998. >>> a snowboarder